@article{2a1ee5d86bd34a9d802769351a2ba7ea,
title = "Energy, environment and development in Bhutan",
abstract = "Bhutan's energy and environmental situation and approaches to development are reviewed and analyzed in this paper. Conservation of natural resources and human happiness have been placed as central strategic policy themes and have been given high priority in the national development plans of Bhutan. Bhutan's unique approach to development via Gross National Happiness (GNH) or the Middle Path of development is being facilitated by the Royal Government of Bhutan as a tool to balance poverty alleviation, environmental conservation and development. However, challenges exist due to the constraints of resources, good governance, legal frameworks, and human capacity. This paper reviews selected sustainable energy projects (e.g. energy from renewables or energy conservation) in Bhutan and finds that in fact, Bhutan's renewable energy resources (e.g. water and forests) which have proved to be indispensable for development are vulnerable due to the adverse impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. Appropriate measures in order to reduce potential environmental degradation and mitigate climate change impacts have been acknowledged globally and these have potential for application in Bhutan. For example, implementation of sustainable energy projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol could offer an opportunity for mitigating climate change impacts and also contributing to sustainable development.",
keywords = "Bhutan, Gross National Happiness, Hydropower, Renewables, Sustainable development",
author = "Uddin, {Sk Noim} and Ros Taplin and Xiaojiang YU",
note = "Funding Information: In 2003, a further Solar Energy Project in Bhutan was initiated by the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) with support from the RGB, the Bhutanese Royal Society for the Protection of Nature, the Tshungmed Solar Inc., the Bhutan Development Finance Corporation, and the Bhutan Trust Fund [48] . The project aimed to bring small solar home systems to about 200 families in the Phobjikha Valley [48] . This project had two critical components, which gave the project long-term success. First, solar home systems were not donated to the families free of charge; instead, SELF provided seed capital and a mechanism for families to secure micro loans for purchase of their solar home system. Second, SELF, along with its local partners, Tshungmed Solar and SELCO India, trained local men and women in solar technology, installation, and maintenance, thus ensuring that the project could be maintained over the longer term after the project implementation period [48] . Arguably, although the SELF project was more effective, a more comprehensive strategy was needed to make all these projects useful in the long-term and economically viable. Funding Information: Bhutan recently has had experience in commissioning a first small-scale CDM 14 14 project under the Kyoto Protocol. The overall objectives of the project include: to demonstrate a first project under the CDM based on micro-hydropower; to construct a micro-hydropower scheme in the remote village, Chendebji, to support rural electrification and realize the synergistic benefits to rural communities; and to contribute to the CDM rule-making process by addressing the challenges and measures undertaken from project initiation to implementation [49] . The Chendebji 70 kW micro-hydropower project is financed by the e7 Fund 15 15 and is currently being implemented by the DoE on behalf of the RGB. The e7 micro-hydropower scheme was approved by the NEC as Designated National Authority (DNA) and the NEC Secretariat issued the Environmental Clearance for the project. Further the RGB approved the proposal for 50% of sharing the Certified Emissions Reduction (CER) 16 16 from the project between the RGB and the e7 Fund. The development history of the project and its technical features are given in Boxes 1 and 2 , respectively. ",
year = "2007",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1016/j.rser.2006.03.008",
language = "English",
volume = "11",
pages = "2083--2103",
journal = "Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews",
issn = "1364-0321",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd.",
number = "9",
}
